Scenarios That Leads To EDB To PST Conversion.

Microsoft Exchange server is a server side application that works in collaboration with MS Outlook. The MS Outlook is an email client application which manages the emails, tasks, calendars and many other business oriented tasks of the user. The Exchange server stores data in EDB format and Outlook in OST and PST format. When Exchange is online then OST files are created on the Outlook at the client machine. The OST files are known as offline storage table, which are exact replica of Exchange EDB files. The Outlook holds a very unique and efficient feature that allows user to work in an offline mode. The offline mode is a mode when Exchange server is not active, in that case also user can continue his work using OST files.

Whatever modifications are done at the client machine gets automatically updated when the server becomes live. Due to abovementioned features the combination of Exchange and Outlook is mostly preferred in large number of organizations. However there are large number of corruption associated with the file formats of the both the applications. But due to simple technological aspect, all of the issues are easily tangible. There are multiple occasions when user had to go for file format conversion, in that case they require reliable converter tool for safe conversion. In this article let us discuss about the scenarios that led to EDB to PST conversion.

Why one need EDB to PST conversion:

• The first and foremost reason of converting Exchange EDB data into PST is to maintain backup. The PST format is an easily accessible format and supported by not only MS Outlook but also by other email client applications. Another advantage of PST formatted file is that these files can be stored at any user desired location. 
• Sometimes due to accidently or intentionally user deletes his mailbox items. Then he can take help of EDB to PST converter tool which first recovers the deleted mailbox items then performs the conversion process. 
• In an urgent situation when user needs an archive data, then for that he has to dismount the current data on the server and then access the archive data. Clearly this process halts the normal flow of work which can be a major setback in today’s business environment. However user can bypass this situation by online conversion of archive data without dismounting the current data from Exchange server. This task can be done by professional EDB to PST converter tool. 
• In case of Exchange corruption user is left with no option to go for Exchange recovery tool which initially repairs the inaccessible file then converts it into accessible PST format.  
• In a situation when user is migrated to other branch or new firm then he might need to access his old data which is EDB formatted then he will need an EDB to PST converter tool to access his old mail items.
• Administrator needs to backup data of any user who is switching or migrating from the organization for the archive purpose. It is not recommended to backup data in Exchange server as it will make the server bulky and will certainly affect the functionally of the application. Hence it is advisable to maintain backup in PST format which can be easily accessed from Outlook machine.
• If Exchange server is shut down due to maintenance work, then user can still access information through backed up PST formatted data. 

Basically there are two types of modes in which conversion of EDB is possible, the Offline and Online mode. In the former mode the conversion is carried out when user is shutting down the Exchange intentionally which makes the database offline. However this is considered as the fastest way of EDB to PST conversion. 

In the later mode i.e. the online mode the Exchange server is working normally and the conversion process is carried out in the background. However the second mode is mostly preferred by the organizations as it does not affect the normal flow of the work. In the aforementioned paragraphs we understand the need of EDB to PST conversion. But let us find out the ways by which we can perform the conversion process. There are multiple ways to convert Exchange EDB data into PST format as discussed below: 

• Export-Mailbox and Import-Mailbox:  The Export-Mailbox and Import-Mailbox commonly known as Exchange Management Shell cmdlet allows user to export mailbox data to PST format. Generally it provides two options while exporting the data. First user can export his mailbox to another mailbox and secondly it allows to user to export his mailbox data into PST format. But there are various scenarios in which it has been seen that the utility fails to provide the expected result. 
• Exmerge utility:  The Exmerge is a free utility developed by Microsoft, it too allows user to convert EDB data into PST format. However the process does not occur directly, only corrupt data which are repaired can be converted into PST format. Although Exmerge does not provide expected result in severe situations, also the tool can only export data less than 2GB in size and only supports few version of Exchange server(till Exchange 2003).

As we can make out from the abovementioned points that we cannot completely relay upon aforementioned utilities for the conversion process. Hence the only best option is to look for professional third party converter tool. There are numerous EDB to PST converter tool available in the market to export exchange mailbox into PST format but only few of them can provide the expected result. There are few aspects that user should consider before purchasing any third party converter tool. 

• The tool should be developed by trusted and reputed firm who is basically involved in data recovery process. 
• The user must first of all try the demo version of the tool. Using demo version will allow user to understand user-friendliness and effectiveness of the tool. It will provide the complete overview of the functionality of the product. 
• User must ensure that the product is compatible with the hardware and software he is using.